What Causes an Object to Stop after a Collision?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the collision of two balls, specifically a 0.25 kg ball moving at 1.7 m/s and a 0.18 kg ball moving at 2.5 m/s. After the collision, the 0.25 kg ball reverses direction with a speed of 0.10 m/s, leading to the conclusion that the 0.18 kg ball comes to a complete stop at 0 m/s. The key takeaway is that the conservation of momentum is the primary factor determining the outcome of the collision, with no additional indicators present to suggest that one object will stop.

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Homework Statement



Two balls roll directly towards each other. The 0.25kg ball has a speed of 1.7m/s. The 0.18kg ball has speed of 2.5m/s. After the collision, the 0.25kg ball has reversed its direction and has a speed of 0.10m/s . What is the magnitude and direction of the 0.18 kg ball after hte collision?


Homework Equations


P(total)=P'(total)


The Attempt at a Solution



I know the answer... IT's 0 m/s . Further question though:

On a test, I'd be questioning that result. As I did when I first obtained it in the homework... So I thought to myself: Zero tends not to just come out of nowhere... There's usuall an indicator that it's coming. What is the indicator that one of the objects in a collision will stop? Is there any sort of indicator in this case?

Thanks!

Mike
 
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There's no special indicator in this case other than the momentum conservation calculation.
 

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